Hearing protector with curved segments

ABSTRACT

A hearing protection device is provided including a sound attenuating element and a stem extending from the sound attenuating element, wherein the stem comprises multiple curved segments.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention concerns hearing protection devices and, moreparticularly, a hearing protector including a sound attenuating elementand a stem extending from the sound attenuating element, the stemincluding multiple curved segments.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The use of hearing protective and noise attenuating devices is wellknown, and various types of devices are available including, but notlimited to, ear muffs, semi-aural devices, and earplugs. Earplugs areoften preferred for their effectiveness in attenuating sound and forcomfort properties provided thereby.

An earplug generally comprises a sound attenuating element which isplaced in the ear canal of a wearer to occlude the canal and thusprovide a desired sound attenuation. The sound attenuating element iscommonly made of a compressible, resilient material such as a foam or arubber.

The earplug may further include a stem embedded party or entirely in theresilient sound attenuating element. The stem provides a degree ofrigidity to the earplug which enables the earplug to be easily insertedand pushed into the ear canal of a user. Further, where the stem extendsfrom the sound attenuating element, it may serve as a handle of theearplug to facilitate insertion and removal of the earplug.

Commonly, the stem is a cylindrical member which extends from the soundattenuating element along a longitudinal axis of the earplug. That is,the stem extends in a straight line rearwardly from the soundattenuating element in a collinear manner with respect to theattenuating element. Thus, the stem is available as a handle wheninserting and removing the earplug. When the earplug is inserted intothe ear canal, the stem extends outwardly from the ear and may begrasped and adjusted by the wearer as desired.

However, in this configuration, the stem is left exposed to inadvertentcontact. For example, the user may accidentally strike the stem withtheir hands while adjusting their hair, attending to an itch, whenadjusting clothes, etc. Further, the wearer may inadvertently contactthe exposed stem while applying or adjusting headwear such as a hat, oradditional safety protection equipment such as protective eyewear, ahelmet, a respirator, etc. Still further, the exposed stem may beinadvertently contacted by another person or an outside object such asmachinery, building structures, etc.

This type of incidental contact may slightly dislodge the stem, thusreducing the attenuation provided by the earplug. This slightdislodgement may even go unnoticed by the wearer, thus subjecting thewearer to reduced levels of attenuation over extended time periods. Suchinadvertent contact may be sufficient to entirely expel the earplug fromthe ear canal all together, therefore exposing the wearer to allexternal noise until the earplug is properly re-inserted. Further,certain incidental contacts may force the stem inward toward the innerear or may pivot the stem within the ear canal, thus causing discomfortto the wearer.

Often, these conventionally stemmed earplugs are provided in cordedpairs. Each pair includes a cord extending between the stems of therespective earplugs. The cord is typically attached to the exposed rearend of the stem and extends from the earplug, at least initially, in acollinear manner with respect to the stem and the sound attenuatingelement. When a corded pair of earplugs is worn, the cord (like thestem) extends outwardly from the ear and generally outwardly from thehead of the wearer. More specifically, the cord initially extendsoutwardly for a length, in line with the stem, and then curves downwardand eventually drapes beneath the chin or behind the neck of the wearer.This extension of the cord essentially increases the contactable portionof the inserted earplug. When such earplug is worn, the exposed stem isvulnerable to inadvertent contact as well as the projecting portion ofthe cord. That is, the projecting portion of the cord may sufferunintentional tugging or tangling which could result in partial orcomplete dislodgement of the earplug from the ear canal.

Thus, a stem for an earplug is desired which is sufficient for handling,inserting, and removing the earplug and which is positioned andconfigured to reduce the incidence of inadvertent contact, even whencorded.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above discussed and other problems and deficiencies of the prior artare overcome or alleviated by the invention which provides a novel andnonobvious hearing protection device.

The invention provides a hearing protector including a sound attenuatingelement and a stem extending from the sound attenuating element. In anexemplary embodiment, the stem includes multiple curved segments.

The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the apparatusand method of the invention will be appreciated and understood by thoseskilled in the art from the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alikein the several FIGURES:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an earplug stem in one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an earplug having the stem of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a is a side view of an earplug stem in another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 16 is a side view an earplug having the stem of FIGS. 11-15;

FIG. 17 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 19 is rear view thereof;

FIG. 20 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an earplug according to FIGS. 6-10having a cord attached thereto;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an earplug according to FIGS. 16-20having a cord attached thereto;

FIGS. 23-25 are side views of earplugs in other embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 26 is a side view of the earplug of FIGS. 16-20 as worn in an ear;

FIG. 27 is a front thereof;

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the stem of FIGS. 11-15; and

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of the earplug of FIGS. 16-20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-5 shows a stem 10 for an earplug 50 (see, FIGS. 6-10), in oneexemplary embodiment of the invention. The stem 10 generally includes ahandle portion 12 and an attachment portion 14 extending therefrom. Aswill be discussed herein in detail, the handle portion 12 is configuredand oriented to facilitate handling ear canal insertion, and ear canalremoval of the earplug 20 while remaining adjacent to the outer ear andhead of the wearer to thus minimize incidental contact therewith. Theattachment portion 14 is configured for receiving and retaining a soundattenuating portion 52 (FIGS. 6-10) of the earplug 50.

The handle portion 12 of the stem 10 includes a proximate portion 16 andan opposing distal portion 18. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the proximateportion 16 is disposed near the attachment portion 14. The distalportion 18 is adjacent to the proximate portion 16, opposite from theattachment portion 14. The proximate portion 16 extends generally alongan axis A-A shared with the attachment portion 14. (See, particularly,FIG. 1.)

The distal portion 18 diverges from the proximate portion 16 along anaxis B-B. The axis B-B is disposed at an angle θ relative to the axisA-A. The angle θ is generally greater than 90° and preferably between110° and 140°. In the present exemplary embodiment, the angle θ isgenerally less than or equal to approximately 125°. In other words theaxis B-B is not collinear with the axis A-A. The distal portion 18includes a handling area 20 disposed approximately midway along a lengthof the portion 18. The handling area 20 comprises a contoured surfacefor facilitating retention of the stem 10 between fingertips of thewearer. For example, the handling area 20 may comprise an oval shapedsurface having planar and/or curvilinear features. That is, the handlingarea 20 may be flat, convex, concave, or any combination of these. Thearea 20 may additionally and/or alternatively include grip featureswhich are disposed inset or in relief relative to the feature 20, suchas score lines, protuberances, etc. The handling area 20 may furtherinclude indicia, symbols, etc., such as trade names, product names, etc.These may be printed at the handling area 20 or formed thereon in reliefor in an inset fashion.

The distal portion 18, in an exemplary embodiment includes an aperture22 formed at an end opposite from the proximate portion 16. The aperture22 extends along the axis A-A, forming a cavity within the distalportion 18. The aperture 22 and resulting cavity are generally circularin cross-section and are configured to receive and retain a cord 51 asshown in FIG. 21. The cord 51 allows the resulting earplug 50 to beattached to another earplug 50 to form a connected pair of earplugs 50.The cross-section of the aperture 22 may be sized slightly smaller thanthat of the cord 51 such that the cord is held therein in a frictionfit. Additionally and/or alternatively, the cord 51 may be bonded to thedistal portion 18 in the aperture by way of an adhesive agent, an insitu molding process, etc.

The attachment portion 14 includes features which facilitate attachmentof the sound attenuating element 52 with the stem 10. These features mayinclude, for example, a first conical portion 24 which has a generallyserially decreasing circular cross-section and tapers toward a front ofthe attachment portion 14, and a second conical portion 26 adjacent tothe portion 24 where the portion 26 also includes a serially decreasingcircular cross-section in a direction toward the front of the attachmentportion 14. The portion 14 also includes a front end 28 which isgenerally a cylindrical member extending away from the second conicalportion 26. These features 24, 26, and 28 are specifically shaped,disposed, and configured to aid in affixing the sound attenuatingelement 52 to the stem 10. Namely, these features 24, 26, 28 includeshapes and surfaces which readily receive and retain the material whichforms the sound attenuating element 52 and/or any bonding agent whichmay be used facilitate said affixation.

FIGS. 6-10 show the earplug 50 having the sound attenuating element 52attached to the stem 10. Here, by way of example, the sound attenuatingelement 52 is shown as comprising a plurality of rearwardly facingsemi-spherical flanges 54. Three such flanges 54 are shown. Of course,the earplug 50 may include more or less of the flanges 54 (e.g., four ormore flanges, two flanges, a single flange, etc.) A base 56 of the soundattenuating element is disposed partly on the proximate portion 16 ofthe stem 10. Here, the sound attenuating element 52 may be formed of athermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or any suitable compressible material.The sound attenuating element 52, for example, may be similar oridentical to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,149, issued on Sep.19, 1989, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety. The sound attenuating element 52 may be pre-molded andthen affixed to the stem 10 by an adhesive bonding agent. Further, sucha pre-molded attenuating element 52 may be affixed on the stem 10 by wayof a friction fit. In such embodiment, the attenuating element 52 isformed with a receptacle at its interior configured to receive andretain the attachment portion 14 of the stem 10. The receptacle may havea cross-sectional area smaller than that of the attachment portion 14 ofthe stem 10 such that the friction fit is establish upon inserting thestem 10 into the receptacle. Additionally, the attachment features 24,26, 28 of the attachment portion 14 may be configured to mate or createa snap-fit with the interior of the sound attenuating portion 52 at thereceptacle. That is, the portion 14 and the receptacle can includeinterlocking features such as male and female elements, etc. In afurther alternative embodiment, the element 52 is simply molded directlyonto the stem 10.

FIGS. 12-15 and 28 show a stem 100 in another embodiment of theinvention. The stem 100 is similar in many respects to the stem 10discussed above. Features which are consistent between the variousembodiments of the invention discussed herein are indicated byconsistent reference numerals and, for sake of brevity, are notreintroduced or discussed in substantive detail. The stem 100 includesthe handle portion 12 extending along the axis B-B and the attachmentportion 14 extending along the axis A-A, where the axes intersect at theangle 8. The stem 100 further includes a flange 102 disposed on theattachment portion 14 near the proximate portion 16 of the handleportion 12. The flange 102 is generally a rearwardly extendingfunnel-shaped member which opens toward the handle portion 12 of thestem 100. As shown in the drawings, the flange 102 assumes a generallyconical shape. A space is delimited beneath the flange 102, between theflange 102 and a part of the proximate portion 16 of the stem handleportion 12. See particularly, FIGS. 28-29. This space allows the flange102 to collapse, as necessary, when inserting the earplug 110 into theear canal to thus provide a secure and complete fit. The attachmentportion 14 of the stem 100 further comprises an elongated substantiallycylindrical member which extends from the flange 102 toward a front ofthe stem 100.

FIGS. 16-20 and 29 show an earplug 110 formed of the stem 100 and asound attenuating element 112. Here, the attenuating element 112 isaffixed to the stem 100 over the attachment portion 14 and on to theflange 102. That is, a rear 114 of the sound attenuating element 112proximate to the handle portion 12 abuts and is attached to the flange102, as shown in the drawings. A front 116 of the sound attenuatingelement 112 includes a rounded shape, such as a semi-hemispherical,semi-elliptical, etc. shape, in order to facilitate insertion of theearplug 110 into the ear canal of a wearer. The sound attenuatingelement 112 further includes a tapered portion 118 disposed between thefront 116 and rear 114. The tapered portion 118 is an area of reducedcross-sectional area which extends generally in a middle portion of thesound attenuating element 112. Of course, the element 112 mayalternatively include a substantially cylindrical shape of generallyuniform cross-sectional diameter. Still further, the sound attenuatingelement 112 may comprise spherical shape, a rearwardly extending flangeshape, or any desired shape and/or configuration. The space beneath theflange 102 is maintained upon attachment of the sound attenuatingelement 112. See, FIG. 29. As mentioned, this space allows collapse ofthe flange 102 and the rear 114 of the attenuating portion 112 tofacilitate fitting of the earplug 110 within the ear canal.

Like the earplug 50, the earplug 110 includes the aperture 22 formed inthe stem 100 for receipt and retention of a cord 101, as shown in FIG.22. The cord 101 is configured to be similarly attached to a secondearplug 110 to thus form a corded pair of earplugs 110. The cord 101 maybe friction fit within the aperture 22 or bonded to or molded therewith.

The sound attenuating element 112 of the earplug 110 is formedpreferably of a compressible, resilient slow recovery foam material suchas polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyurethane. For example, the soundattenuating element 112 may be composed of a material as that describedin U.S. Pat. No. Re. 29,487 issued on Dec. 6, 1977, the contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The sound attenuating element 112 may be preformed and then attached tothe stem 110 by an adhesive bonding agent. Here, the bonding agent maybe applied to the portion of the flange 102 which contacts the rear 114of the attenuating element 112. Additionally and/or alternatively, thebonding agent may be applied to the front end of the attachment portion14 and/or along the length thereof. In another embodiment, the element112 may be formed directly on the stem 100 such that the element 112 ismechanically bonded thereto. For example, where the sound attenuatingelement 112 is a foam material, the element 112 may be formed in a moldaround the attachment portion 14 so as to bond thereto. Here, the flange102 serves to stop the expanding foam during formation of the element112. The flange 102 also acts as a bonding surface and facilitates inthe shaping of the resulting element 112. In an alternate embodiment,the sound attenuating element 112 may be dip-molded onto the stem 100according to know techniques. In a further embodiment, the soundattenuating element 112 may be friction fit onto the stem 100. Forexample, the element 112 may be preformed to include a receptacle at aninterior thereof for receiving and retaining the attachment portion 14of the stem 100. The receptacle may include a cross-sectional areaslightly smaller than that of the attachment portion 14 so as to createthe friction fit when the portion 14 is inserted into the receptacle.Alternatively and/or additionally, the attachment portion 14 and theinterior of the receptacle may be configured to facilitate a mating or asnap-fitting of the sound attenuating element 112 onto the stem 100. Forexample, the attachment portion 14 and the sound attenuating element 112may include interlocking (i.e., male and female) features in order tofacilitate the friction fit or snap-fit.

The handle portion 12 of the earplugs 50, 110 described herein may besubstantially cylindrical in shape, having a generally consistentcross-sectional diameter across its length. Alternatively, the handleportion 12 can include cross-sections of variable diameter such that anarea(s) of the handle 12 tapers inwardly and/or outwardly. In anotherembodiment, the handle portion includes a rectilinear or ellipticalcross-section of consistent or variable cross-sectional area. Further,the handle portion 12 may include a combination of some or all of theseconfigurations and/or further configurations as desired.

For example, FIG. 23 shows an earplug 200 having the sound attenuatingportion 52 attached to a stem 202. The stem 202 includes the attachmentportion 14 (not shown) and a curved handle 204. The handle 204 traces acurve as shown such that at least a portion of the handle 204 is offsetfrom and non-collinear with the axis A-A of the sound attenuatingelement 52. The curve of the handle 204 may be a portion of a radius ofa circle, a portion of an ellipse, or any other desired curve. FIG. 24shows an earplug 250 in another embodiment of the invention. The earplug250 includes a stem 252 which includes the attachment portion 14 (notshown) affixed to the sound attenuating element 52 and which furtherincludes a curvilinear handle 254 extending therefrom. The handle 254includes curved sections such that the handle 254 is offset from andnon-collinear with the axis A-A of the sound attenuating element 52. Thehandle 254 traces a substantially serpentine pattern, i.e., anapproximately S-shaped pattern. In a general sense, the stems 202 and252 include respective handles 204 and 254 which include curvilinearfeatures which result in a non-collinear relationship between thehandles and the axis A-A. The stem handles 204, 254 may of coursefurther include additional curved segments and/or linear segments asdesired.

FIG. 25 shows an earplug 300 in another embodiment of the invention. Theearplug 300 includes the sound attenuating element 52 and a stem 302extending therefrom. The stem 302 includes the attachment portion 14(not shown) and a handle portion 304 extending from the attenuatingelement 52. The handle portion 304 extends in a substantially linearfashion along the axis B-B which forms the angle θ with the axis A-A ofthe sound attenuating element 52. That is, the handle portion 304 issimilar to the handle portion 14 of the stem 10 except that, here, thehandle 304 does not include a proximate portion collinear with theattenuating element as does the stem 10. To the contrary, the entiretyof the handle 304 extends angularly relative to the sound attenuatingportion.

The stem handles 204, 254, and 304 of the earplugs 200, 250, and 300,respectively, are shown in the drawings as having a circularcross-section which is of consistent shape and size across a length ofthe handle. Alternatively, of course, the handles 204, 254, 304 maycomprise a variably shaped and/or sized cross-section. The handles 204,254, 304 can additionally and/or alternatively comprise the handlingarea 20 and the aperture 22 for receipt and retention of a cord.

The sound attenuating elements 52, 112 discussed herein may be of thepush-in type, the roll-down type, or the partial roll-down type. Thatis, the sound attenuating elements 52, 112, in one embodiment, areinserted into the ear canal by simply placing the element at theentrance of the canal and pushing inwardly on the handle portion 12 ofthe stem 10, 100. In another embodiment, the sound attenuating element52, 112 is rolled between the fingers in order to fully compress theelement 52, 112 against the attachment portion 14 of the stem 10,100prior to insertion of the element 52, 112 into the ear canal. In afurther embodiment, the attenuating element 52, 112 is compressed onlypartially prior to insertion.

The various stems 10, 100, 202, 252, 302 described herein may be formedof a plastic or rubber material and may be formed through a moldingprocess, and particularly, by an injection molding process.

As discussed herein in detail, the handle portion 12, 204,254,304 of theearplug 50,110,200,250,300 includes a portion which diverges from alongitudinal axis A-A of the respective sound attenuating element 52,112 by an angle θ. As mentioned the angle θ is greater than 90°,preferably between 110° and 140°, and in one exemplary embodiment isless than or equal to about 125°. Thus, at least part of the handleportion 12, 204, 254, 304 of the stem is offset from the respectivesound attenuating element 52, 112. When the earplug 50, 110, 200, 250,300 is inserted into the ear canal of a wearer, some of the angledhandle portion 12, 204, 254, 304 remains extending from the ear canal.The angled configuration of the handle portion 12, 204, 254, 304prevents the stem from excessively protruding from the ear. That is, theangled configuration of the handle portion 12, 204, 254, 304 results inthe respective stem lying naturally in the creases or spaces formed inthe pinna of the external ear. Preferably, the handle portion 12, 204,254, 304 of the inserted earplug lies in the intertragic notch of theear formed below the tragus. As will now be discussed, the angled natureof the handle portion 12,204,254,304 allows the stem of the earplug toextend from the ear canal in an inconspicuous manner, essentiallycoplanar with respect to a general plane of the outer ear, thusminimizing outer exposure of the stem and hence reducing the likelihoodof inadvertent contact.

FIGS. 26-27 show the earplug 110 inserted into an ear canal of a wearer.The sound attenuating portion 112 is lodged within the canal while thehandle portion 12 of the stem 10 extends therefrom. The distal portion18 of the handle portion 12 is angled and configured as discussed abovesuch that, when the earplug 50 is inserted, the portion 18 liesgenerally in the creases and spaces of the pinna 400 of the externalear. As mentioned, the distal portion 18 preferably lies in theintertragic notch 402 immediately below the tragus 404, as is shown inthe drawings. Alternatively, of course, the distal portion 18 may lie ina space 406 above the tragus 404 over the concha 408. Further in thealternative, the portion 18 can extend toward and/or over theanti-tragus 410, anti-helix 412, and helix 414 portions of the externalear. In any event, the portion 18 of the stem 10 which extends from theear canal of the wearer assumes a low profile by angling over portionsof the outer ear rather than projecting straight outward, as is commonwith conventional earplugs. In this way, the stem 10 is less exposed tobody parts of the wearer and of others and out of the way of machinery,structures, clothing, headwear, safety gear, etc. Thus, the stem 10 isconfigured to avoid some incidental, inadvertent contact and to providea tighter, less conspicuous profile of the earplug relative to the earand head of the wearer.

The earplug 50 is shown in FIGS. 26-27 by way of example only. All ofthe various earplugs discussed herein and additional embodimentscontemplated by the invention are configured to be inserted into an earcanal in the same way as and perform similarly to the earplug 50. Forexample, when the earplug 110 is inserted into an ear canal, the distalportion 18 of the stem 100 extends in an angled manner from the earcanal so as to naturally lie in the creases and spaces of the pinna ofthe ear such that the stem 100 assumes a low profile relative to theexternal features of the ear. Similarly, when the earplug 300 isinserted in an ear canal, the handle portion 304 of the stem 302 extendsfrom the canal at an angle and lies in one of the above-designated areasrelative to the pinna, thus avoiding an undesired protruding,contactable disposition. In much the same way, when the earplugs 200 and250 are inserted into an ear canal, the curved nature of the handleportions 204, 254 result in the stems 202, 252 extending from the canalinconspicuously into the creases and folds of the pinna 400.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the offset nature of the earplug stem 12relative to the attenuating (inserted) portion 112 directs the cord 101downward from the ear toward the mandible (not shown) of the wearer.This creates a tight profile of the cord 101 relative to the head of thewearer, thus helping to reduce incidental contact of or with the cord101. That is, in the illustrated configuration, the cord 101 extendsfrom the stem 10 proximate to the intertragic notch 402 and thendirectly downward to drape beneath the chin or behind the neck of thewearer, without projecting outward like traditional corded earplugs.

As mentioned above, the earplugs 200, 250, and 300 may include cordsattached at ends of the respective stems. In such an embodiment, thecurved/angled nature of the stems will direct the cord downward againstthe ear and mandible of the wearer, as described above with exemplaryreference made to FIGS. 26 and 27.

Accordingly, the invention results in a hearing protection device whichis inserted, or at least partially inserted, into the ear canal of thewearer and which includes a stem configured so as to extend from the earcanal in an angled or curved manner in or proximate to the naturalcreases and spaces of the outer ear such that the earplug remains closeto the outer ear and, where applicable, directs the cord in a downwardmanner adjacent the ear, head, and neck of the wearer.

Dimensions and materials identified in this description and the attachedFigures are for illustration purposes only and may vary depending uponthe intended application in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific features of the Figures even though the invention encompassesthe same.

Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, whileexemplary embodiments have been shown and described, variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present apparatus andmethod disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the variousembodiments have been described by way of illustration and notlimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hearing protector, comprising: a soundattenuating element; and a stem comprising: a proximal end and aproximal portion adjacent the proximal end, the proximal portionextending along a first longitudinal axis into the sound attenuatingelement; a distal end and a distal portion adjacent the distal end, thedistal portion extending along a second longitudinal axis and forming ahandle, wherein the second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinalaxis are not parallel to one another, and the proximal portion and thedistal portion connect to form a plurality of angles disposed outside ofthe sound attenuating element.
 2. The hearing protector of claim 1,wherein the distal portion is connected to the proximal portion by acurved segment.
 3. The hearing protector of claim 1, wherein the handletraces a serpentine pattern.
 4. The hearing protector of claim 1,wherein the handle comprises a grip feature comprising score lines,protuberances, or both.
 5. The hearing protector of claim 1, wherein theaperture is constructed to retain a cord by friction fit or an adhesiveagent.
 6. The hearing protector of claim 1, further comprising a cordattached to the aperture.
 7. The hearing protector of claim 1, whereinthe sound attenuating element is attached to the stem by a bondingagent.
 8. The hearing protector of claim 1, wherein the soundattenuating element is releasably attached to the stem.
 9. The hearingprotector of claim 1, wherein the stem comprises a protrusion in theproximal portion protruding transverse to the first longitudinal axis.10. The hearing protector of claim 9, wherein the sound attenuatingelement comprises a cavity, and wherein the protrusion is disposed inlocking engagement within the cavity to releasably attach the stem tothe sound attenuating element.
 11. The hearing protector of claim 1,wherein at least a portion of the proximal portion has a proximallydecreasing cross-sectional diameter.
 12. The hearing protector of claim1, wherein an entirety of the handle portion extends along the secondlongitudinal axis.
 13. The hearing protector of claim 1, wherein thestem is injection molded plastic.
 14. The hearing protector of claim 1,wherein the angle is about 90° to about 140°.
 15. The hearing protectorof claim 14, wherein the angle is about 125° or less.
 16. The hearingprotector of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuating element is moldedonto the proximal portion of the stem.
 17. The hearing protector ofclaim 1, wherein when the sound attenuating element is inserted into anear canal of a user, the handle lies adjacent or within the outer ear ofthe user.
 18. The hearing protector of claim 1, wherein the handle isconstructed for pushing the sound attenuating element into the ear canalof a user.